Tatiana Schlossberg, the granddaughter of former US President John F. Kennedy, has announced her diagnosis with an aggressive form of cancer, indicating she has been given less than a year to live. The 35-year-old revealed her situation in an essay published in The New Yorker on Saturday, coinciding with the 62nd anniversary of her grandfather's assassination.
Schlossberg, the daughter of former US Ambassador Caroline Kennedy, is a mother of two and a climate journalist. In her essay, she expresses her alarm at witnessing her cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s appointment as US health secretary under President Donald Trump, particularly as she was grappling with her health issues.
Diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia following the birth of her second child in May 2024, Schlossberg spoke about her previously active lifestyle and the grim prognosis she faces despite undergoing various treatments including a bone marrow transplant. She cites her doctor's assessment that he can keep her alive for potentially a year.
Schlossberg reflects on her fears regarding her young children, who may not retain memories of her, and the additional burden her illness places on her mother, Caroline. She also shared her distress over her cousin's controversial appointment, proclaiming, Suddenly, the healthcare system on which I relied felt strained, shaky. Earlier this month, her brother Jack Schlossberg also announced plans to run for Congress in New York and shared her poignant essay online with the phrase, Life is short - let it rip. The Kennedy family, known for its deep involvement in US politics along with personal tragedies, retains a significant public presence, as highlighted by Schlossberg's experiences and reflections.
